Insulated from Reality (Jude 1:5-8)

Leaders who don't listen will eventually be surrounded by people who have nothing to say (Andy Stanley).

THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES

Most are familiar with the Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale of the "Emperor's New Clothes." Needing a new set of robes and clothes, the emperor sent out a request for the finest tailor in the land, eventually settling on one who promised him extravagance galore! After days and weeks and months of waiting, the clothes were delivered. So deluded by the hype, the emperor is convinced of the grandeur and puts the new clothes on, only to realize as he is parading through the streets that he is, in fact, naked! You and I might laugh at such a ridiculous idea, until we realize how often we (and others) are taken in by hype, build-up, an unwillingness to hear truth, and our own vanity. We allow ourselves to become insulated from reality. AJ (not his real name) is a perfect example of this.

THE UNLISTENING LEADER

AJ was the head of an agency on Base X. Trouble had been brewing for many months. Of AJ's team, some left after claiming a toxic environment, some claimed blatant retaliation, and some claimed unfair treatment of other team members. AJ himself expressed absolute confusion as to the complaints being lodged against his leadership style. He tried time and again to understand the situation, but expressed to me the following: "No matter what I do, it's simply not enough. They are never happy!" I called together a mediation between AJ and the members of his team.

I sent out a calendar invite with a stated goal of seeking clarity and understanding. I included a list of questions as food for thought in the meeting. I arranged the date, time, and a neutral location. I enlisted the help of a Chief Master Sergeant, and we awaited the day. When it arrived, AJ sat at one end of the table and his team sat in a group at the other. I set out the "Rules of Engagement," restated the goal and the questions, and let it flow. And flow it did!

Although it took a bit for the team members to feel comfortable and safe, the trickle of words soon turned into a torrent. They expressed a lack of trust in AJ's motives; they outlined ways AJ treated some very leniently while others were micromanaged; about a third of the team expressed dismay at being retaliated against for daring to question AJ, checking the regulations for clarity or even taking allowed time off for personal business! During this time, AJ would ask questions and appeared to try to understand. However, I knew all was lost when, at the end of our time together, AJ said, "So, all of the problems really stem from poor scheduling." My Chief and I hung our heads and I then said, "AJ, your team has told you everything you need to know, if you are able to hear it." Unfortunately, AJ never was able to hear what his team was really saying. He is a prime example of a leader who has insulated himself from the reality of his self-centered leadership.

REJECTING AUTHORITY

Jude, in his letter to a geographically-separated church, warns his readers of the inevitable dilution of the Christian Gospel through false teachers coming in to lead the Church. He gives four characteristics of these false leaders. The first one is the leader marked by sensuality (I'm Sexy and I Know It . . . (Jude 1:4, 8, 10)). The second characteristic to watch out for is a leader marked by a distinct rejection of authority outside of himself. Scripture is very clear on how dangerous this rejection of authority is. Adam and Eve rejected the ultimate authority, taking something that was clearly reserved for a later time when they were better able to handle the responsibility. In Numbers 16, Korah lead a rebellion against God's chosen leader, despite multiple warnings from Moses. Romans 13:1-3 tells the discerning reader both how to approach authority and the result of rejecting authority (trust me, it's bad). As a matter of fact, we all find ourselves under authority--divine, human, or both. Self-centered leaders reject this idea of being under authority, thereby insulating themselves from accountability, wise counsel, growth, new ideas, a broader perspective on issues, and the ability actually to hear the concerns of their flock.

Jude presents two ways these false leaders reject authority. First, they "deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ" (v. 4). Of course, Christ is the ultimate authority for any Christian leader. His is the Gospel; His is the Resurrection; His is the "way, the truth, and the life." Christ Himself warns us that one may only serve one master--either God or possessions (Matthew 6:24). In this case, these false leaders deny Christ and seek to serve their possessions, to include their own souls (cf. Mark 8:36-38). However, these false leaders won't admit to serving their possessions; they simply put themselves in the place of authority where Christ should belong. "Deny" is the idea of a complete rejection of Christ! Imagine this--these leaders come into the Church claiming Christ as Lord and Master while denying Him by their actions and words. They deny His authority, His Lordship, His mastery over their very lives. These are the ones who claim to be the master of their souls and expect their followers to acknowledge them as both Lord and Master, replacing Christ with a poor facsimile of His glory.

Second, these false leaders reject any past examples who might otherwise enlighten them as to the error of their ways. Notice how Jude approaches this idea. He describes three Old Testament examples and the results of their self-centeredness. Unbelievers, having experienced a great and glorious salvation from slavery, nonetheless reject the Savior and are consequently destroyed (v. 5). Angels who stray from their clearly marked created purpose, are adjudged worthy of punishment (v. 6). Sodom and Gomorrah taste "strange flesh" [there is some question of what, exactly, this means; however, it is clear that sexual immorality is in view here] and are utterly destroyed and set aside as an example even in the 21st-century! Verse 8, then, begins with "Yet these men."

"Yet" is a wonderful English conjunction which introduces a contrast. Verse 5 starts with Jude reminding his readers of what they already know. Rejection of authority brings destruction on a large scale. The astute learner takes these examples to heart and recognizes that he is not going to escape the same fate. "Yet these men" ignore these warnings and continue in their ways, "… [rejecting] authority …" (v. 8). False leaders cannot accept any authority outside of themselves, utterly convinced they can escape the unavoidable.

NEG.ATIVE LEADERSHIP

A leader unwilling to accept authority is unmoored from reality. He is cut loose from the reality of accountability, being under authority (divine or otherwise), consequences, and the destructive impact of all caught in the path of his final destruction. Like a nuclear bomb, the blast radius of his downfall will cause great destruction, causing him to become, indeed, "Death, a destroyer of worlds" (Bhagavad Gita).

AJ discovered this for himself. Within just a few months of our mediation, his team rebelled against him, leveling charges against him with the union, claiming discrimination, and bringing about the downfall of his toxic leadership. The negative impact was felt across his unit and the base as a whole, requiring his successor to spend years recovering trust and effectiveness and bringing healing to the unit.

REFLECTION

1. Are you following the script of the self-centered leader?

2. How do you approach authority?

3. Who is allowed to speak into your life?

4. Are you a student of history so as to avoid repeating past mistakes?

5. Do you connect with the impactful reality of your actions?

6. As a Christian leader, do your actions and team reflect Christ or yourself?

7. Are you offering your followers "the way, the truth, and the life" or a cheap replica of the same?